System and method for setting up a universal remote control

ABSTRACT

A system and method for using an RFID tag to automatically setup and configure a universal remote control to command appliances of various types and various manufacturers.

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to and is a continuation of U.S.application Ser. No. 10/665,642, filed on Sep. 19, 2003, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/151,635, filed May20, 2002, (now U.S. Pat. No. 7,218,243) which is: 1) acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/615,473, filed Jul.13, 2000; 2) a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No.09/334,584, filed Jun. 16, 1999, (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,781,518) which isa continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/121,229, filedJul. 23, 1998 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,157,319); and 3) acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/905,423, filed Jul.13, 2001, which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/264,767, filed on Jan. 29, 2001.

This application also claims priority to and is a continuation-in-partof U.S. application Ser. No. 10/288,727, filed Nov. 6, 2002, whichclaims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/344,020,filed Dec. 20, 2001, and U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No.60/334,774, filed Nov. 20, 2001.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to remote control systems and, moreparticularly, to a system and method for setting up and configuring auniversal remote control to command functions of one or more types ofremotely controllable appliances of one or more manufacturers. Exemplarytypes of appliances include, but are not limited to televisions, videocassette recorders (VCRs), cable boxes, disk players, digital videorecorders (DVRs), thermostats, game consoles, etc.

Manufacturers typically provide a remote control with an appliance and,as such, different appliance types of different manufacturers are oftencommanded with different remote controls. To minimize the number ofindividual remote controls a user requires, universal remote controlshave been developed. Accordingly, universal remote controls forcommanding various functions of various types of appliances of variousmanufacturers have become quite widespread. By way of example, universalremote controls are described in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos.4,959,810, 5,255,313 and 5,552,917.

In a common method of setting up a universal remote control, codes forcommanding functions of an appliance are learned from a remote controlsupplied by the manufacturer with that appliance. The learned codes,which are stored within the universal remote control, are then availablefor subsequent transmission to the appliance. Alternatively, codes forcommanding functions of appliances of various types and variousmanufacturers can be preprogrammed into the universal remote control.The user then interacts with the universal remote control to identify tothe universal remote control which appliance(s) the user desires tocommand, i.e., the user manually enters an appliance code into theuniversal remote control such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,959,810.The universal remote control uses the user entered identity informationto access those preprogrammed codes that are appropriate for commandingthe identified appliance(s).

While these setup methods do work for their intended purpose, it hasbeen seen that the manual process of setting up and configuring auniversal remote control can be demanding, exacting, and generallyfrustrating for many users. Accordingly, a need exists for an improvedsystem and method for setting up and configuring a universal remotecontrol.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with this need, the following describes a system andmethod for allowing a universal remote control to be automatically setupand configured to command appliances of various types and variousmanufacturers.

A better appreciation of the objects, advantages, features, properties,and relationships of the system and method for setting up andconfiguring a universal remote control will be obtained from thefollowing detailed description and accompanying drawings which set forthillustrative embodiments which are indicative of the various ways inwhich the principles of the system and method may be employed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For use in better understanding the exemplary systems and methods forsetting up a universal remote control which are described hereinafter,reference may be had to preferred embodiments shown in the followingdrawings in which:

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system wherein a universal remotecontrol provides commands to control functions of a TV set and VCR;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of exemplary, universal remote control units withdevice activated setup capability;

FIG. 3 is a flow chart of an exemplary process for using an appliance tosetup a universal remote control;

FIG. 4 is a flow chart of an exemplary process for using appliancesupplied data to setup a universal remote control;

FIG. 5 illustrates an exemplary system of interconnected appliancescontrollable using a universal remote control;

FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary system for direct, two-waycommunications between a universal remote control and an appliance;

FIG. 7 is a flow chart of an exemplary process for using appliancesupplied data to setup and configure a universal remote control;

FIG. 8 is a continued flow chart of an exemplary process for usingappliance supplied data to setup and configure a universal remotecontrol to command functions of an appliance;

FIGS. 9a-9d illustrate exemplary universal remote control touch screensresulting from the receipt of exemplary appliance function identifierdata;

FIGS. 10a and 10b illustrate exemplary forms of RFID tags suitable foruse with this invention;

FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary proposed Electronic Product Code foruse with RFID tag systems;

FIG. 12 illustrates an exemplary system for setting up a universalremote control using RFID tag data;

FIG. 13 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary process for setting upa universal remote control utilizing remotely stored configuration data;

FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary system for linking a universal remotecontrol to a remote data repository utilizing an intermediate personalcomputer and a docking station;

FIG. 15 illustrates an exemplary system for linking a universal remotecontrol to a remote data repository utilizing an intermediate personalcomputer that is accessible via wireless connection;

FIG. 16 illustrates an exemplary system for linking a universal remotecontrol with a remote data repository utilizing an intermediate Internetgateway that is accessible via wireless connection;

FIG. 17 illustrates an exemplary system for linking a universal remotecontrol with a remote data repository utilizing an intermediate cableset top box that is accessible via wireless connection;

FIG. 18 illustrates the networked home theater system of FIG. 5including a personal computer for linking the networked home theatersystem to a remote data repository; and

FIGS. 19 and 20 each illustrate an exemplary system for using RFID tagdata that identifies an individual for the purpose of causing auniversal remote control to set itself up according to preferences thathave been specified for that individual.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following describes various systems and methods for setting up andconfiguring a universal remote control to command one or more functionsof one or more types of appliances of one or more manufacturers. By wayof example, FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary system 11 wherein auniversal remote control 10 is provided with appliance activated setup(“DAS”) capability whereby the universal remote control 10 may be setupby appliances to command functions of the appliances, illustrated as aTV set 14 and a VCR 15. To this end, FIG. 2 shows exemplary universalremote controls 10 suitable for use in this manner which include amicrocontroller 19, a transmitter and a receiver (or transceiver),generally labeled as 25, various command keys, generally labeled as 16,and a power key or button 17, all as is well known. As illustrated, itis to be understood that soft keys displayed on a touch screen could besubstituted for or used in conjunction with hard keys. It is to befurther understood that communications between illustrated devices maybe performed using infrared (IR) transmissions and/or other transmissionmediums such as radio frequency (RF), inductive coupling, visible light(e.g., modulating a TV picture signal), etc.

For commanding functions of various appliances, the command keys 16 mayinclude keys for placing the universal remote control 10 into anoperational mode to transmit commands to one or more target appliancesthat have been associated with that operational mode. For example, a“TV” mode key may be activated to place the universal remote control 10into an operational mode to transmit primarily television functioncommands, a “VCR” mode key may be activated to place the universalremote control 10 into a mode to transmit primarily VCR functioncommands, etc. In addition, the universal remote control 10 may have a“home theater” selection which may be activated to place the universalremote control 10 into an operational mode for commanding multipletarget appliances within a home theater. In a “home theater” mode,activation of certain command keys cause the transmission of commands tocertain predefined or user selectable target appliances, e.g., volumecontrol commands are transmitted to an amplifier, channel controlcommands are transmitted to a cable box, picture control commands aretransmitted to a television, etc. The intended target appliance forindividual command keys or groups of command keys within the “hometheater” operational mode may be predefined or user programmable.

Still further, the universal remote control 10 may have one or more“room” selections which may be activated to place the remote control 10into a “room” operational mode for commanding one or more appliancesthat are or would typically be found within a designated room, e.g.,family room, bedroom, etc. In this regard, selection of a “room” maycause target appliances to be assigned to one or more “mode” keyswhereupon the universal remote control 10 would operate conventionallyin the various operational modes. Selection of the “room” may alsofunction to place the universal remote control 10 into a mode capable ofcommanding certain function of each of the one or more target applianceslocated within the selected room, e.g., whereby activation of certaincommand keys cause the transmission of commands to certain targetappliances in a manner similar to the “home theater” operational mode.The intended target appliances in a “room” operational mode may bepredefined or user selectable in either case described, i.e., intendedtarget appliances for the “modes” in the former case and intended targetappliances for the command keys or group of command keys in the lattercase. Further yet, the remote control may have one or more “user”selections which may be activated to place the remote control into a“user” mode whereby remote control configuration information, which isdefined according to a specific user's preferences, settings, favorites,etc., may be stored and recalled.

To setup the universal remote control 10 when a consumer, for example,purchases a VCR 15, the system described with respect to FIG. 1 mayinstruct that the user: a) plug an appliance (e.g., the VCR 15) into apower source; b) hold the universal remote control 10 close to theappliance; and c) press the power button to turn the appliance on. Whenthe appliance then “powers on,” the appliance provides device code datato the universal remote control 10 by means of a squawk signal tothereby cause the universal remote control to set itself up to commandfunctions of the appliance.

It is to be appreciated that the squawk signal need not be transmittedsolely in response to the appliance being “powered on.” Rather, thereare other ways to get the appliance to identify itself to the universalremote control 10. For example, an appliance can be equipped with a menuwhich provides a means for requesting that the appliance initiate thetransmission of a squawk signal. Additionally, transmission of thesquawk signal can be initiated by having the user hold down acombination of buttons on the front panel of the appliance. Stillfurther, it is possible to simulate the plugging in of the appliance byhaving some type of master reset button on the appliance.

Turning to FIG. 3, there is illustrated an exemplary method,implementable in software and/or hardware, for generally using anappliance to setup the universal remote control 10 in keeping with theexemplary appliance, initial “power on” squawk transmission methodologypreviously described. Briefly, in the illustrated flow chart, when ACpower is applied to the appliance, the appliance emits an identitysquawk signal and then “turns on” its receiver and monitors for acommand transmission from the universal remote control 10. If theappliance receives a “power on” command transmission from the universalremote control 10, it performs a “power on” function and proceeds tonormal operation, i.e., the universal remote control 10 successfullyreceived the squawk transmission and set itself up to command theappliance. If, however, the appliance does not receive a “power on”command transmission from the universal remote control 10, the programchecks to see if power has been manually “turned on” (e.g., byactivating a front panel button of the appliance) and, if it has, theappliance performs the “power on” function and proceeds to normaloperation. In the case where the appliance has not been manually“powered on,” the squawk transmission process may be repeated.

To explain in more detail, the programmed operating logic of the system11 is such that when an appliance detects that it has been plugged inbut has not yet received a “power on” signal from the universal remotecontrol 10, the appliance enters an initialization state and transmits asquawk signal, comprising data that identifies:

-   a) the type of appliance it is; and b) the remote control encoding    format to which it responds. After transmitting the squawk signal,    the appliance listens for a period of time for a “power on” command    in its specified format.

Referring now to FIG. 4, an exemplary method, implementable in softwareand/or hardware, for setting up the universal remote control unit 12 isdescribed. To this end, if the user simply presses any key 16, otherthan the power button 17, on the universal remote control 10, thiswakes-up or energizes the microcontroller 19 in the universal remotecontrol unit 10 and causes it to send the appropriate command signal ina conventional manner. In the case where the power button 17 of theuniversal remote control 10 is actuated (i.e., a specific power buttondesignated for a particular type of appliance or a general powerbutton—which may require the user to actuate a mode button prior toactuating the power button), the microcontroller 19 first briefly placesthe universal remote control 10 into a receive mode and listens for asquawk signal. If no squawk signal is detected, the universal remotecontrol 10 proceeds to send a power command signal in a conventionalmanner and, since the “power on” operation generally takes a fewseconds, the brief (milliseconds) delay caused by the listening timeperiod is not noticeable to the user.

If the microcontroller 19 of the universal remote control 10 detects arecognizable squawk signal during the listening period, it proceeds toanalyze the identification data contained within the squawk signal. Ifthe appliance type and encoding format are supported by the universalremote control 10, the microcontroller 19 commences executing a sequenceof instructions that uses the identification data to reconfigure itsprogramming so as to use those command codes appropriate for commandingfunctions of the appliance and then transmits to the appliance anappropriate response command (e.g., the power command). The commandcodes appropriate for commanding functions of the appliance may beselected from a library of command codes resident on the universalremote control 10, i.e., the appliance identity data is used tocross-reference a command code set within a preprogrammed library,and/or command codes appropriate for commanding functions of theappliance may be downloaded into the remote control 10 as a function ofthe identity data—as described hereinafter. In the case where anoperational mode for the universal remote control 10 was designated forcommanding functions of the appliance, e.g., a “mode” key was actuatedin connection with actuation of the “power” key (or a power keypre-assigned to a specific mode—e.g., “TV power,” “VCR power,” etc. wasactuated), the sequences of instructions may also function toreconfigure the programming of the universal remote control 10 such thatthe appliance will be the primary target of commands when the remotecontrol is placed into the operating mode corresponding to the “mode”key/“mode power” key actuated. Alternatively, appliance type informationreceived from the appliance may be used to automatically assign theappliance to a remote control operational mode.

If the transmission of commands for the appliance is not supported bythe universal remote control 10, i.e., the identification data is notrecognized, the universal remote control 10 may be programmed to simplyremain unchanged in its previous configuration. Again, if no “power on”command is received by the appliance, the appliance may repeat itstransmission of the squawk signal and await a response, continuing thisalternating squawk/listen sequence until such time as a response isreceived or a predetermined time period expires. The alternatingsquawk/listen sequence may also be terminated by, for example, the userpressing a button on the front panel of the appliance or through thereceipt of a transmitted command from a dedicated remote controlsupplied with the appliance. When the squawk/listen sequence isterminated, the appliance exits this initialization state and commencesnormal operation.

Exemplary data frame layouts and transmission formats for such squawksignals are more completely described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,157,319,entitled “Universal Remote Control System with Device Activated Setup”(of which this application is a continuation-in-part). For the sake ofbrevity, the disclosure of the '319 patent is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety.

Still further, data for setting up the universal remote control 10 mayalso be supplied to the universal remote control 10 through the use of aRadio Frequency Identity (“RFID”) system. Various RFID systems are wellknown in the art, as exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 3,713,148, entitled“Transponder Apparatus And System” or U.S. Pat. No. 5,438,335, entitled“Responder unit for transponder arrangement.” As described in thesepatents, an RFID system typically includes a “tag” affixed to an objectof interest which tag responds to a radio frequency enquiry signalinitiated by a reading device. The adoption of a standardized andinexpensive form of RFID tag technology for product identificationpurposes is promoted by organizations such as the Uniform Code Council(www.uc-council.org) and AutoID (www.autoidcenter.org). For furtherinformation regarding exemplary RFID systems, the reader may alsoconsult “Auto ID Technology Guide” (undated) published by the Auto-IDCenter, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, 77 Massachusetts avenue,Cambridge, Mass. 02139 or “Auto-ID Technology: MIT's Approach toStandardize Product identification,” Thomas Schoch, published Nov. 2,2002, by the Institute of Information Systems, ETH Zürich,Haldeneggsteig 4, CH-8092 Zürich, Switzerland. It will, however, beappreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that many possiblemethods of implementing radio frequency identification systems exist.Accordingly, the term “RFID” as used herein is not intended to belimited to the apparatus and methods described in the above references,but rather should be read in its broadest possible sense.

Turning to FIGS. 10a and 10b , there is illustrated exemplary RFID tagscomprising an RF transceiver IC chip 1020 programmed with a productidentification, together with a coil 1010 which serves both as anantenna and to gather power from the signal generated by the readingdevice (i.e., in the case of a “passive” or reader powered tag). TheRFID tag 1000 illustrated in FIG. 10a is adapted for use in conjunctionwith a product label 1030, while the RFID tag 1100 illustrated in FIG.10b is miniaturized and encapsulated 1040, suitable for incorporationinto clothing, etc., or even implantation under the skin as contemplatedby, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,211,129, entitled “Syringe-implantableidentification transponder” or U.S. Pat. No. 6,400,338, entitled“Passive integrated transponder tag with unitary antenna core.”Reference may also be had to the (undated) product brochure entitled“Implantable Personal Verification Systems” available from VerichipCorporation at www.4verichip.com.

In FIG. 11 there is further illustrated an exemplary Electronic ProductCode (EPC) as proposed by the above referenced AutoID organization foruse with RFID tag systems. In the illustrated, exemplary tag, the EPCnumber comprises a header and three sets of data. The header identifiesthe version number of the EPC to allow for different lengths or types ofEPC in the future. The second field of the number identifies themanufacturer of the product the EPC is attached to, sometimes referredto as the “EPC Manager,” The third field, called the “Object Class,”refers to the exact type of product, e.g., a Stock Keeping Unit (SKU) ormodel number. The fourth field is a serial number which uniquelyidentifies the specific item. It will be appreciated that a 96-bitnumber, partitioned as described above, will provide unique identifiersfor 268 million possible manufacturers each with 16 million possibleproducts (object classes) and 68 billion serial numbers in each productclass. Shorter versions of the EPC, for example using a smaller serialnumber field for products which do not need to be identified down to theindividual item, are also possible.

To manage the enormous amount of potential information associated withall the permutations and combinations of the EPC number, it iscontemplated by the standards-setting organizations that the firstfields of the number (e.g., EPC Manager and, possibly, Object Class)simply serve as a pointer to Internet-based information storagelocations. So, in much the same way as a Domain Name Service (DNS)server resolves a URL into a unique physical Internet address, theAutoID organization envisages provision of an Object Name Service (ONS)which will resolve an EPC to an electronically accessible location onthe Internet or elsewhere at which additional information regarding theitem is available. More details concerning EPC resolution may be foundin the above referenced “Auto ID Technology Guide.”

Turning now to FIG. 12, an RFID tag 1030 may be associated with anappliance (e.g., by being placed upon/within the appliance, appliancetag, appliance box, appliance owner's manual, etc) and the universalremote control 10 would include an RF antenna 102 and a receiver (ortransceiver) with an associated decoder 104. As will be appreciated, theRFID tag 1030 would be electronically programmed with data that servesas an appliance code to identify the appliance to the universal remotecontrol 10. This data may comprise the Appliance Type data and ApplianceDesignation Number data as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,157,319 or U.S.application Ser. No. 09/334,584, a UPC number which has been assigned tothe appliance (i.e., it is indicative of the appliance type,manufacturer—and sometimes model of an appliance), an EPC number asdescribed above, or the like, so long as the data is capable of beingused to cross-reference command codes in a command code library that areappropriate for commanding functions of the identified appliance. Thus,the universal remote control 10 is adapted to receive the RFID tag data,decode it, and use the data to select command codes to thereby setitself up to command functions of the appliance. In this regard, theremote control 10 may be adapted to immediately select a command codeset from a local, internal library of codes based on recognition of amanufacturer and model (e.g., from the EPC Manager and Object Classfields) or may be adapted to use the read data to access a remotelylocated database of codes, (e.g., using either the standard ONS or acustom service provided by the remote control manufacturer), as will bedescribed in more detail hereinafter.

For retrieving the RFID tag data, the universal remote control 10 may beadapted to emit radio signals that function to activate the RFID tag tothereby read the RFID tag data. For example, the radio signals may beemitted from the universal remote control 10 in response to activationof a “setup” button of the universal remote control. As will beappreciated, the emitted radio waves may range anywhere from one inch to100 feet or more, depending upon the power output and the radiofrequency used and, therefore, the electromagnetic field produced by theantenna 102 can be limited in range so as to allow the universal remotecontrol 10 to control the number of RFID tags to be read, i.e., to limitthe number of RFID tags that would be placed into the electromagneticzone which functions as an activation signal for the RFID tag. Stillfurther, the range of the electromagnetic field may be limited torequire that the universal remote control 10 be placed in the nearvicinity of an appliance of interest so as to read the RFID tagassociated with that appliance while avoiding the reading of RFID tagsof other appliances that are not of immediate interest. In this manner,it may be generally ensured that the universal remote control 10 issetup to read the RFID tag of only one appliance to thereby allow theuniversal remote control 10 to be correctly setup to command functionsof that appliance.

In accordance with the setup procedures discussed previously, theappliance identified by its RFID data can be manually or automaticallyassigned to an operational mode of the universal remote control 10. Forexample, in connection with the activation of the “setup” key, the usermay also select an operational mode, for example by actuating a “mode”key. The identified appliance may then be assigned to the operationalmode of the universal remote control 10 that was selected, e.g.,identified by the “mode” key actuated. Alternatively, “appliance type”data within the RFID data may be used to automatically assign theidentified appliance to an operational mode of the universal remotecontrol 10. In this regard, a mapping between “appliance type” data andoperational mode assignments may be pre-programmed or manually setup bya user prior to the appliance identification setup procedure.

It is further contemplated that a graphical user interface may be usedto assign identified appliances to an operational mode of the universalremote control 10. For example, as illustrated in FIG. 12, once an RFIDtag has been read, a display of the universal remote control 10 maypresent to the user information 106 indicative of the appliance justidentified (e.g., an iconic representation, a textual label, etc.). Tothis end, the universal remote control 10 may include data that maps theiconic representation, textual label, etc. to the RFID tag data read. Inconnection with the display of the information 106 indicative of theappliance identified, the graphical user interface may also presentoperational modes 108 of the universal remote control 10 such that theuser may then assign the appliance just identified to one or more of theoperational modes of the universal remote control 10. While not intendedto be limiting, the operational modes may be presented in a selectablemenu. It will also be appreciated that other graphical user interfacetechniques may also be used to allow the user to assign a justidentified appliance to an operational mode such as, for example, usingdrag and drop techniques, providing check boxes, etc.

It is also contemplated that, in the case where the universal remotecontrol 10 supports a “home theater” or “room” operational mode, thesetup process may be performed using multiple steps in the mannerpreviously described (i.e., one mode/one appliance at time) or it mayinvolve the user actuating a “home theater” or “room” selection key (todesignate that such “home theater” or “room” mode is to be setup) andthen proceeding to individually read the RFID tag for each of theappliances within the home theater center or the room. In either case,the universal remote control will then use read RFID data to thereby setitself up to command functions of each of the appliances of interest. Inthe latter case, where it is desired to provide one-step global setupfor a “home theater” or “room” mode, as each RFID tag is read, or afterit has been indicated that all of the RFID tags of interest have beenread (for example, by actuating the “setup” key a second time), theremote control may additionally use the read RFID data to assign certainappliances to certain operational modes and/or assign certain appliancesas intended targets for command keys within the designated “hometheater” or “room” operational modes. Such assignments may be performedmanually or automatically using one or more of the techniques describedpreviously.

Provision may also be made for the universal remote control 10 to have awider reading range to allow for the reading of multiple RFID tags, forexample, those of an entire home entertainment center or those within aspecific room. In this particular case, the universal remote control 10would use the RFID data to identify those command codes that areappropriate for commanding functions of each of the appliances whoseRFID tag was read. After all of the RFID tags have been read, the remotecontrol may again use the read RFID data to assign certain appliances tocertain operational modes and/or assign certain appliances as intendedtargets for command keys within the designated “home theater” or “room”operational modes. Again, such assignments may be performed manually orautomatically using one or more of the techniques described previously.

While generally described in the context of passive RFID tags, i.e.,those that operate without a separate external power source and whichobtain power generated from an electromagnetic source provided by theuniversal remote control 10, it will also be appreciated that the RFIDtags may also be active, i.e., the RFID tag has an external power sourcesuch as a battery. Nevertheless, it is preferred that the RFID tags beread-only tags (which are typically passive) that are programmed withappliance identity data (usually 32 to 128 bits) that cannot bemodified.

In a further system, illustrated by way of example in FIG. 5, auniversal remote control 10 is provided for controlling an associatedhome entertainment system 211 including a TV set 212 and a VCR 214wherein the system components have two-way communication capability. Forexplanatory purposes, FIG. 6 shows a simplified system wherein a singlesystem component, e.g., a TV set 212, is controlled by the remotecontrol 10. The “Device Activated Setup” (DAS) method describedpreviously may be utilized for the initial setup of the universal remotecontrol 10 and, after this initial setup or concurrently therewith,function identity and operating parameters may be further established bythe appliance for the universal remote control 10.

Turning to FIG. 7, there is illustrated in flowchart form, an exemplarymethod for setting up the universal remote control 10, which may beimplemented in software and/or hardware. As illustrated, the “step-2function configuration” 70, further illustrated by way of flow chartexample in FIG. 8, represents an extension of the basic DAS processpreviously described so as to encompass acquisition of functionalcapability definition (“FCD”) for the appliance to be controlled. Tothis end, a set of possible functions is defined and each functionassigned a unique identifier. Since detailed examples of such functionidentifiers and exemplary methods for the transmission thereof are givenin U.S. application Ser. No. 09/334,584, they will not be repeatedherein.

Referring now to FIGS. 9a-9d , exemplary uses of the functionidentifiers are illustrated. As one example, a simple “playback only”VCR could completely identify its functionality to a universal remotecontrol 10 by sending to the universal remote control functionalidentifiers defining only the functions shown in FIG. 9a . If adifferent model of VCR featured recording capability and a channel tunerin addition to the basic capabilities, the identification of thefunction capabilities of that model to the universal remote control 10may result in the touch screen display shown in FIG. 9b . Another VCRmodel having additional features of slow motion capability may sendfunctional capability information which may result in the displayillustrated in FIG. 9c . Thus, the functional capability data allows theuniversal remote control 10 to tailor its presentation of functions tothe user (and access to those functions—for use in transmittingcorresponding commands) to match the exact appliance being controlled,i.e., the universal remote control 10 may allow access to commands usedto control functions actually supported by the appliance and may alsoprevent the display of command keys for functions not supported by theappliance.

As further described in the above referenced U.S. application Ser. No.09/334,584, provision may also be made for the definition of entirelynew functional capabilities previously unknown to the pre-programmedlibrary of the remote control. By way of example, if the VCR were a dualformat deck which allowed the user to switch between playing tapesrecorded in NTSC and PAL formats, it might define a NTSC/PAL “formatswitching” function key 254 to the remote control which may result inthe display illustrated in FIG. 9d —the function key 254 providing ameans to cause transmission of the “format switching” function commandto the appliance. FIGS. 9a-9d thus illustrate how a remote control 10equipped with an LCD touch screen might adjust its display in responseto the functional capabilities of different VCR models.

In the event that the transmitting appliance does not support extendedfunctionality, setup of the universal remote control 10 may beconsidered to be complete upon completion of a successful DAS procedure,and the system may resume normal operation as shown in FIG. 8. If, onthe other hand, the appliance supports capability reporting then theuniversal remote control 10 may continue by requesting from theappliance its FCD data string. If the universal remote control 10receives the FCD data successfully, it preferably configures itself asappropriate for operation of that appliance and resumes normaloperation. If for any reason the data is not received successfully(e.g., truncated number of packets, bad checksum(s), etc.) the universalremote control 10 may wait an appropriate period of time and then repeatthe request. If after three such attempts the data has still not beenobtained, the universal remote control 10 may abort the process andrevert to default operation—usually, supporting the maximum set ofpossible functions for that appliance family.

While the example transaction shown above assumes that the DAS and FCDacquisition will usually occur together, there is in fact nothing whichprevents the universal remote control 10 from issuing a request for FCDdata at any time. Thus, the universal remote control 10 could availitself of this information at any time. It will also be appreciated thatthis information may be obtained from a source other than the applianceitself, e.g., from a local Personal Computer or a database accessiblevia PSTN or Internet, based upon the DAS parameter, UPC number, EPC orother suitable identifying data, by a suitably equipped remote control10.

The methods disclosed herein with respect to remote control setup arealso contemplated to be applicable to Home Audio Video interoperability(“HAVi”), Universal Plug and Play (“UPnP”), and, generally, to othersuch standards that determine parameter passing and interaction betweenappliances. In this regard, various standards are being proposed whichare intended to provide uniform methods of digital interconnectionbetween appliances. These standards generally specify not only how totransfer audio video source materials, but also how to effect theexchange of control functions between appliances, since it is relativelyeasy to interleave these different signals on a single interface whenthey are encoded at the digital level. An example of such standard isthe HAVi architecture specification proposed by a group of majorappliance manufacturers. The actual physical and electrical connectionsand the link-level protocols used form the subject of a differentspecification, IEEE 1394 “Standard for a High Performance Serial Bus.”Presently suggested standards are directed primarily to homeentertainment appliances, however, the methods disclosed herein areapplicable to other appliances in the home such as the control oflighting, personal computers, security, communications, sprinklers andother convenience items.

The HAVi standard allows control information to be transferred betweenappliances at two levels; the first, referred to as the functionalcontrol module (“FCM”) interface defines a set of standardized commandsfor each appliance type (such as play/stop/pause for a VCR appliance,channel change for a TV tuner, etc.). Not all appliances necessarilysupport all possible commands (e.g., a VCR may not support “indexedskip”) so provision is made for an appliance to enumerate itscapabilities in response to a query from another appliance on the bus.In the FCM interface method, this enumeration consists of a simple listof which standard functions are or are not supported by the appliance(say VCR); and, the controlling appliance (say remote) determines thelook and feel of the user interface. The controlled appliance simplyaccepts commands from the controlling appliance.

The second method, referred to as the data driven interaction (“DDI”)interface, allows the target appliance to specify to the controllingappliance a complete user interface, including the exact icons todisplay for each function, labels for functions, data and statusdisplays, etc. The controlling appliance simply presents these to theuser and reports back to the controlled appliance which icon wasselected. In other words, unlike FCM, in this scheme the controlledappliance determines the look and feel of the user interface, thecontrolling appliance simply acts as intermediary between it and theuser.

Referring now to FIG. 5, depicting HAVi compliant appliances, auniversal remote control 10 of the type described herein can be utilizedby providing an adaptor appliance which attaches to the IEEE 1394 bus.The adaptor solicits capability information from other appliances on thebus and communicates these to the universal remote control 10 via atwo-way communication link. In other words, a single HAVi compatibleadaptor appliance can provide remote configuration services for allconsumer appliances connected to the bus, instead of each oneindividually supplying its DAS and/or FCD data directly to the universalremote control 10. The universal remote control 10 can issue commands toan appliance either by relaying them back through this same adaptorappliance or by communicating directly with the appliance, whichever isbest supported by the appliance in question. The adaptor appliance canbe either a “stand alone” unit or incorporated within some otherappliance (e.g., cable set top box “STB”).

A universal remote control 10 which includes a graphic LCD display andtouch screen input capability would be capable of supporting both DASand FCD command structures. Such a universal remote control 10 wouldrepresent an extremely powerful user interface appliance, essentiallybecoming an extension of the controlled appliance in the user's hand.Also, since the HAVi standard allows an ongoing two-way dialog betweenthe controlled and controlling appliances, the remote control displayand configuration can be updated dynamically during use of the system;not just at setup time as is the case with the basic “extended DAS”transaction described earlier.

By way of further example, FIG. 6 illustrates the universal remotecontrol 10 sending a request for information 232 and the TV 12transmitting information 234 to the universal remote control 10. Thissetup method may also comprise recognizing a set of function indicators236 each of which corresponds to a respective function to be controlledfrom the listing of controllable functions, mapping the functions intospecific command codes and keys according to the listing of controllablefunctions of the appliance, and storing the resultant configurationinformation for use.

In some cases it is desirable that the step of storing the resultantconfiguration information include the step of storing the information inthe control unit. In some cases the set of function indicators is asingle set of respective standard feature indicators, each standardfeature indicator comprising a respective icon corresponding to therespective function to be controlled. For example, the Volume-Up andVolume-Down keys corresponding to a TV. It is also desirable in somecases that each respective icon is a unique icon within the single setof respective standard features indicators. This reduces ambiguity andprovides the user with quick selection capability.

Another method of reducing the complexity of universal remote control 10includes the step of displaying on the universal remote control 10 onlyfunction indicators corresponding to respective functions to becontrolled from the listing of controllable functions of the applianceto be controlled. Referring to FIG. 9a , the universal remote control 10shows function indicators comprising a rewind icon 238, a stop icon 240,a pause icon 242, a play icon 244, and a fast forward icon 246. Sincethese are the only functions desired to be controlled, for example, withthis particular VCR the user is presented with a universal remotecontrol 10 having substantially reduced apparent complexity. This easesselectivity by reducing extraneous information.

It will be understood that the listing of controllable functions may bedivided into a plurality of families and the single set of functionindicators may be divided into a corresponding plurality of families.Accordingly, the step of displaying may include displaying only thefamily of indicators corresponding to the family of functions to becontrolled. For example, the indicators 236 of FIG. 9b have been dividedinto a TV family 250 and a VCR family 252.

It will be understood that the step of transmitting may comprise thestep of conveying configuration information between the universal remotecontrol 10 and the appliance to be controlled (also referred to hereinas a target appliance) via an encoding scheme in a communicationsprotocol. It will often be desirable to utilize an industry standardprotocol and it will often be desirable to provide compatibility byutilizing a consumer electronics standard for the universal remotecontrol 10 and for the interface appliance communication. As discussedearlier, one consumer electronics standard is a HAVi standard.

The set of variable functions may be defined for each appliance to becontrolled and the unique numeric identifier may be assigned to eachfunction. It may be desirable to group the related variable functionsunder a single designator. It is often desirable to reserve at least onecode for indicating that data following the code is a definition of anew IR code and corresponding key annotation.

Referring once again to FIG. 5, the method may also be utilized in acontrol system 260 of electronically controlled appliances. In one case,the system may comprise a standard high performance bus 230 connectingthe electronically controlled appliances. For example, FIG. 5 shows theelectronically controlled appliances constituting a home entertainmentsystem 211 including a VCR 214, a TV 212, an audio source 254, a DVD256, and a CD player 258. In the system shown in FIG. 5, the universalremote control 10 communicates with the electronically controlledappliances via the interface unit 218. FIG. 6 shows a system wherein theuniversal remote control 10 communicates with the electronicallycontrolled appliances directly.

Generally, although not required, the interface adaptor 218 ismechanically and electrically connected to the bus 230. In some selectcases the bus 230 is a high speed digital serial bus which utilizes acommunications standard consistent with the home audio-videointeroperability (HAVi) standard. Accordingly, it is generally desirablefor the universal remote control 10 to be adapted to issue user commandsto one of the appliances through the interface adaptor.

The control system may also comprise a plurality of appliances connectedvia a bus conforming to a first standard, wherein the appliancescommunicate according to a second standard. For example, the pluralityof the appliances include a target appliance having data driveninteraction data (DDI Data), that is context determined data, defining aplurality of functions supported by the target appliance and a pluralityof associated icons. An adaptor is placed in operable communication withthe bus to receive the DDI Data from the target appliance and send theDDI Data to the target appliance. A universal remote control 10 isplaced in operable communication with the adaptor to send and receivethe DDI Data. In some specific embodiments the bus is a serial bus, andthe first standard is an IEEE 1394 standard. It may be desirable to havethe target appliance configure the universal remote control 10. It isalso often desirable for the universal remote control 10 to comprise adisplay wherein the target appliance displays at least one of theplurality of associated icons on the display. The universal remotecontrol 10 often comprises at least one configured function defined bythe target appliance and a display displaying an icon standard with atleast one configured function.

It will often be desirable for the adaptor to comprise means to identifyitself to the target appliance as a unit having display and controlinput capabilities, even though the adaptor does not provide display andcontrol input capabilities. This allows the adaptor to act as a conduitbetween the target appliance and the universal remote control 10,wherein the universal remote control 10 does have display andcontrolling capabilities.

It will be understood that a system may comprise a two-way wireless linkconnecting the adaptor and the universal remote control 10. In somecases it is desirable for the wireless link to include a radio frequencylink or an infrared (IR) link. While the adaptor 218 has been shownseparate from the plurality of appliances connected via the bus 230 forease of illustration, it will be understood that the adaptor 218 may behoused in one of the plurality of appliances. Similarly, each appliancemay be configured to include an adaptor 218 (or similarly functioningelement) and a two-way wireless link such that communication between theappliances, and between each appliance and the universal remote control10 may be accomplished.

As stated above, the second standard may be a HAVi standard and thefirst standard may be an IEEE 1394 standard. It is often desirable toprovide the universal remote control 10 with a dynamic-graphical-userinterface connected to change display graphics according to a status ofthe target appliance. The universal remote control 10 may also comprisea means for receiving the status of a target appliance from the targetappliance through the adaptor. The universal remote control 10 mayfurther comprise means for directly controlling the target appliance.Thus, the icon may be dynamically altered in response to communicationswith one of the appliances.

It will also be appreciated that FCD data may be transferred to theuniversal remote control 10 through the use of RFID tags. In some casesthe RFID tag data may include the FCD data as well as the DAS data (ormay include FCD data alone), while in other cases the RFID tag data maybe used as an index or address pointer to a repository (local ordistant) from which the FCD data may be obtained, e.g., via use of anONS server. The universal remote control 10 may then respond to the RFIDtag data to not only setup the universal remote control 10 to generallycontrol functions of an appliance, but may also cause the universalremote control 10 to identify specific functions that are to becommandable from the universal remote control 10. Specifically, RFID tagdata may indicate to the universal remote control 10 one or morespecific functions that are supported by the appliance, one or moregroups or families of functions supported by the appliance, IR code datafor commanding one or functions supported by the appliance, etc.

In certain cases, it will also be appreciated that the universal remotecontrol 10 need not have a locally stored library of command codes thatare accessed to setup the universal remote control 10 in response toreceipt of either DAS and/or FCD data (for example, received from anRFID tag). In the case where the universal remote control 10 presentssoft keys that are actuatable to command functions of an appliance,icons used to depict the function command keys, especially in the casewhere the icons are selected in response to received FCD data, also neednot be maintained locally with the universal remote control 10. Rather,the universal remote control 10 may be adapted to use received DASand/or FCD data to downloaded needed command codes and/or icons from adata repository remote from the universal remote control 10, asgenerally illustrated in the flowchart of FIG. 13 and described in moredetail hereinafter.

It is also contemplated that RFID tag data may be used to provideinformation that may be used to identify a particular individual, forexample, in the case where an RFID tag is associated with an individualby being implanted within the individual, by being included in anarticle of jewelry, a medic alert bracelet, or article of clothing wornby the individual, etc. In such a case, the universal remote control 10of FIG. 19 or 20, for example, may be adapted to read the RFID tag data1100 that identifies the individual for the purpose of causing theuniversal remote control 10 to set itself up according to preferencesthat have been specified for that individual. Without limitation, theuniversal remote control 10 may be configured to recognize individualsto cause the universal remote control 10 to be placed into anoperational mode specified as a preference for that individual, todisplay soft keys for commanding functions of appliances specified as apreference for that individual, to assign target appliances to commandkeys specified as a preference for that individual, to assign channelnumbers to a “surf” or favorites lists specified as a preference forthat individual, to allow access to certain features offered by theremote control 10 (e.g., according to parental control parametersestablished for that individual) or otherwise tailor the presentation ofany displayable objects, information, etc. according to a specifiedpreference for that individual.

It is additionally contemplated that the universal remote control 10 maystore the RFID tag data that serves to identify an individual wherebythe remote control 10 may forward the data to one or more of theappliances and/or a remote data repository—for example associated with adata collection agency. In this regard, the RFID tag data that serves toidentify the individual may be included as part of a command codetransmission to an appliance and/or may be transmitted to an appliancein its own data frame. In either case, the RFID tag data may then beused by the appliance to similarly cause the appliance to enter a modeof operation that has been established as a preference for thatindividual. The mode of operation may include the manner in which anappliance is commandable and/or content is accessible (e.g., V-chipsettings, “surf” or favorites lists, program guide information, etc.being mapped to individuals), the manner in which content is presented(e.g., surround sound settings, closed captioning options, televisioncolor/tint/brightness, appliance interoperations, etc. being mapped toindividuals), and the like. The RFID data that identifies a particularuser may also be used to track user access to content provided on anappliance for the purpose of, for example, creating user profiles totailor what content is accessible or the manner in which content ispresented. In this case, the RFID data that identifies a particular usermay be locally stored and used solely by the appliance or may beuploaded to a more centralized data repository, for example, to a cablehead end system.

It will be appreciated that for purposes of appropriately recognizingand distinguishing from among multiple individuals having RFID tags inclose proximity with each other in order to correctly display specificoperational modes, user preferences, favorites, etc. on universal remotecontrol 10, the various methods set forth above in conjunction withdetection of specific desired appliances may be used. For instance, thepower output and/or radio frequency (and thus the electromagnetic field)produced by the antenna 102 can be limited in range so as to allow theuniversal remote control 10 to control the number of RFID tags to beread, i.e., to limit the number of individual RFID tags that would beplaced into the electromagnetic zone which functions as an activationsignal for the RFID tag. Additionally, a recognition by the universalremote control 10 of the varying signal strengths from multipleindividuals having RFID tags may be used to trigger the display of useroperational modes, preferences, favorites, etc. associated with the RFIDtag having the strongest signal (thus indicating which RFID tag islikely closest to the universal remote 10).

In some instances, it will be appreciated that it may not be necessarythat the data for commanding functions of an appliance, for use indisplaying soft keys, or for otherwise setting up the universal remotecontrol 10 be locally stored on the universal remote control 10. Rather,the universal remote control 10 may be adapted to use DAS data, RFIDdata, FCD data, or the like to obtain such data from a remote datarepository. For example, devices such as personal computers and the likewhich have communication capabilities that extend beyond the home may beattached to a network, as illustrated in FIG. 19. In this case, providedthat the minimum data required to identify a device type and model,command function, etc. can be obtained via DAS, RFID, direct user input,or the like, the remote control 10 may use the personal computer as aintermediate client to access a remote data repository and obtain fromthe remote data repository capability and configuration data necessaryto setup the universal remote control 10 to control an appliance.

More specifically, device and function identity information, whetherincluded in a DAS transmission, FCD transmission, RFID tag, read from abarcode label (as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,225,938 which isincorporated here by reference in its entirety), entered by the consumeras a UPC or other code, etc. may, in turn, be used to directly accessdata stored in a centralized device database that contains definitionsnecessary to configure the universal remote control 10 to communicatewith and/or control the identified appliance generally and/or specificfunctions of the identified appliance. To this end, the centralizeddevice database may include control codes for appliances of differenttypes and manufacturers (and sometime model number) as well as elementsof graphical user interface layouts to be displayed by the universalremote control 10 as an interface to communicate with/control variousappliances (in the case where the universal remote control 10 supports atouch screen). As illustrated in FIG. 14, the universal remote control10 can access the centralized device database server 300, provide thecentralized device database server 300 with the device and/or functionidentity information, and request that the centralized device databaseserver 300 download to the universal remote control 10 information fromthe centralized device database needed by the universal remote control10 to configure itself to communicate with and/or control the appliancecorresponding to the device identity and/or function identityinformation. As will be described in greater detail hereinafter, thecentralized device database may also store information relevant to theoperation of appliances such as user manuals, TV-guide listings, etc.Additionally, the identity information provided to the centralizeddevice database server can be used to provide services such as automaticwarranty registration, capturing of demographics (e.g., identifyingdevices a user owns/has previously setup), etc. These latter describesservices may also utilize RFID data that functions to identify aparticular individual.

For use in downloading data to setup the universal remote control 10,the device and/or function identity information supplied to theuniversal remote 10 for the purpose of setting up the universal remotecontrol 10 may be stored in memory of the universal remote control 10 tothereby allow the information to be read from the memory andcommunicated to the centralized device database server 300 during anon-line communications session. Alternatively, the device/functionidentity information may be uploaded from the universal remote control10 into an intermediate client device 302, such as a personal computer,set top box, etc. for future off-line communication to the centralizeddevice database server 300. Similarly, the data returned from thecentralized device database for use in the universal remote control 10can be loaded into the memory of the universal remote control 10 duringan on-line communications session or this information can be downloadedto the intermediate device 302 for subsequent, off-line downloading intothe memory of the universal remote control 10.

To upload the identity information to the centralized device databaseserver 300, as illustrated in FIGS. 14-18, the universal remote control10 may be placed in communication with a client device 302 which, inturn, is capable of communicating with and accessing the centralizeddevice database server 300. Access to the centralized device databaseserver 300 may be via direct connection or via the Internet, PSTN, orother network. By way of example, the client device 302 can be apersonal computer as illustrated in FIGS. 14, 15, 18 and 19 or a cableset top box as illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 20. Still further, the clientdevice 302 can itself be the remote control, as illustrated in FIG. 16,when the remote control functionality is embodied in a PDA, Webpad,personal computer or the like, having the ability to directly access theInternet. Communications with the client 302 can be by means of adocking device 304, as illustrated in FIG. 14, or by means of RFwireless communications, using protocols such as 802.11, Bluetooth,etc., as illustrated in FIGS. 15 and 19. Still further, communicationswith the client 302 can be accomplished using bi-directional IRtransmissions, as illustrated in FIGS. 17 and 20.

To communicate with the centralized device database server 300, theclient device 302 can include software that is designed to monitor fordata messages from the universal remote control 10 and initiate contactwith the centralized database server 300 when the universal remotecontrol 10 indicates that it possesses a new device or function identityfor processing. Preferably, this software runs in a background mode. Thesoftware can be responsive to a transmission from the universal remotecontrol 10 which notifies the software of the fact that the universalremote control 10 includes new setup information. This notification caninclude data representative of the new device or function identity orthe software can request that the new device or function identity besupplied in a further transmission. Still further, the software canperiodically read the memory of the universal remote control 10 todetermine if there has been a change in the device identity data storedin memory. This is especially useful in the case where the universalremote control is a PDA, PDA-like device, or Smart Display, used inconjunction with a personal computer as is possible in the examplesshown in FIG. 14, 15 or 19, where the software could form part of thesynchronization process which is automatically invoked whenever theportable device is docked or otherwise establishes communication withthe host PC. A similar arrangement may be used in the case of auniversal remote control 10 which is equipped to display TV guideinformation (as described, for example, in co-pending U.S. applicationSer. No. 09/905,396 or in U.S. Pat. No. 6,130,726) wherein the universalremote control 10 engages in periodic communication with a PC clientdevice 302 in order to refresh guide data. In cases where the clientdevice 302 is not a PC but is a cable or satellite set top box, homegateway appliance or the like, an embedded application may be installedin the device to perform in a similar manner.

Upon receipt of the identity information from the universal remotecontrol 10, the centralized device database server 300 uses the identityinformation to select from a command code library stored in thecentralized device database one or more command codes and transmissionformats recognizable and appropriate for the identified device and/orfunction. This data is then returned from the centralized databaseserver 300 to the client device 302 whence it may be transferreddirectly back to the universal remote control 10 if the universal remotecontrol is still in communication with the client device 302.Alternatively, the data may be stored on the client device 302 for latertransfer to the memory of the universal remote control 10 during asubsequent docking or communication session with the universal remotecontrol 10. Once the data is transferred to the universal remote control10 the data is used in a manner well known to those of skill in the artto setup the universal remote control 10 to control the operation of theappliance and/or the identified function.

Provision may also be made to allow the universal remote control 10 todetermine if the universal remote control 10 has sufficient memory toaccept any data to be downloaded. To this end, the universal remotecontrol 10 may include a diagnostic routine that determines the size ofan EEPROM into which data is to be downloaded and/or memory that wouldbe available within the EEPROM for accepting data. Execution of thediagnostic routine may be automatic, for example, as part of the normaldownloading process or may be manually initiated, for example, inresponse to activation of one or more predetermined hard or soft keys ofthe universal remote control 10. Information concerning the overall sizeof the EEPROM and/or memory available within the EEPROM can be presentedto the user, for example, by being presented in a display, by using anLED to blink a signal to the user that is indicative of the information,etc. By way of further example, an EEPROM size of 512 bytes could berepresented by the LED blinking twice, an EEPROM size of 1K bytes couldbe represented by the LED blinking three times, etc. In addition, theamount of memory that will be required to store data to be downloadedcan be provided by the central server which information may also bepresented to the user whereby the user may elect to abort thedownloading process if the diagnostic routine indicates thatinsufficient memory is available. Similarly, the amount of time thatwill be required to download data can be provided by the central server,given the network data transfer rate and the size of the down file, forpresentation to the user whereby the user may again elect to abort thedownloading process if the user feels the time is excessive. The systemmay also provide for the automatic termination of a download session inthe case where the size of the data to be downloaded exceeds the amountof memory determined to be available.

As noted previously, the centralized device database server 300 may alsouse the device and/or function identity information to retrieve from thecentralized device database graphical user interface elements, such ascommand key representations and layouts, that are appropriate for theidentified device and/or function. The graphical user interface elementsmay then be downloaded as described above to the universal remotecontrol 10 for use in providing a display by which the user can commandthe operation of the device. The graphical user interface elements canbe embodied in an XHTML file or the like to be displayed using browsersoftware resident on the universal remote control 10, as described inU.S. Application Ser. Nos. 60/264,767, 09/905,423, 09/905,432, and09/905,396. Still further, the graphical user interface elements may bein a proprietary format compatible with specific remote controlapplication software such as described in co-pending U.S. PatentApplications 60/344,020 and 60/334,774. Importantly, from an equipmentmanufacturer's point of view, offering downloadable graphical userinterface elements in this manner allows the manufacturer to retain adegree of control over the “look and feel” of their device's remotecontrol user interface, even when used with aftermarket LCD remotecontrols.

The centralized database server 300 may also be used to provide otherinformation relevant to the operation of devices to the benefit of theconsumer and/or device manufacturer. For example, device specificreference documentation such as user manuals, hook-up instructions,FAQs, and the like may be stored at the centralized database server anddownloaded to the client device or universal remote control 10 accordingto the device identity information provided to the centralized databaseserver 300. This additional information may be provided either as partof an initial setup procedure or at some later point by explicit userrequest. Alternatively, in cases where the remote control 10 is capableof wireless communication with the client device or directly to theserver 300 (as shown, for example in FIGS. 15-20) reference informationcan be offered interactively using, for example, the techniquesdescribed in co-pending U.S. application Ser. No. 09/905,423.

Another application that may be supported by such a centralized server300 is warranty registration. Since a remote control 10 can be expectedto access the centralized database shortly after the consumer haspurchased an appliance, warranty registration can be advantageouslyperformed in conjunction with the database access made to setup theuniversal remote control 10 to communicate with/control the device.Depending upon the manufacturer, warranty registration may be partiallyor fully automated. For example, EPC data supplied to the universalremote control 10 by an appliance may uniquely identify an appliance viaits serial number that, in turn, can be communicated to the centralizedserver 300. The user may then be requested to enter his personalinformation to complete the registration process. The user may also beidentifiable by means of any stored RFID tag data that serves toidentify an individual. Still further, in cases where the remote controlfunction is implemented within a PDA device or access is made by meansof a personal computer, either of which may already contain the userinformation, the retrieval of the personal information can also be madefully automatic using well known retrieval techniques.

In addition to warranty registrations, consumer demographic informationmay also be captured as part of the processes described herein. In thisregard, the universal remote control 10 knows what other devices theconsumer owns by virtue of the remote control 10 having been set up tocontrol those devices. Accordingly, this information can be accumulatedat the centralized server 300 for analysis. For example, answers tomarketing research questions such as “How many purchasers of Sony DVDplayers also own a PVR?” and “What proportion of owned PVRs are Sonybranded?” could be extracted from a such a data accumulation.Accumulated data for an individual may also be stored, as suchinformation may be uploaded from the remote control, to allow fortargeted marketing of services and/or appliances and applianceaccessories.

Since the centralized device database inherently includes elements whichinfer the functionality of individual device brands and models (i.e.,the remote control command set for each appliance operable by means ofthe remote control 10) another service that could be offered to theconsumer through the server may be the ability to research feature setsof devices of different manufacturers prior to purchasing an appliance.For example, a consumer may access the centralized database and inquire“Which PVR models have dual tuners?” or “Which Panasonic TVs supportpicture-in-picture.”

Another feature that a manufacturer may wish to offer through thecentralized server 300 is providing customers with information regardingthe availability of accessories, supplies, and add-on equipment.Advantageously, the centralized server 300 can be used to prepare salescatalog listings that could be tailored to a particular device type andmodel using the device identity and/or serial number informationreceived from the remote control 10. Targeted marketing may also bederived from user profiles, using personal information of registrants,in manners that are well known in the art. Tailored catalog andpurchasing information can be downloaded to the client device 302 or theuniversal remote control 10 itself for display to and perusal by theconsumer. Once this information is presented to a user, either on thedisplay of the universal remote control 10 or a display associated witha client device, orders can be placed interactively through thecentralized server 300 using well known e-commerce principals.

Still further, since consumer electronic devices are designed to allowfor upgrade of their internal firmware programming to add futurecapabilities, updated remote control command code libraries and/or GUIlayouts may be provided to the universal remote control 10 via thecentralized device database server to match any upgrades. By way ofexample, digital cable or satellite set-top boxes, PVRs, and the like,as illustrated in FIG. 20, can have their capabilities updated from aremote location without any significant involvement by the user. Incases where an update to the device functionality is received, theconsumer may be prompted to manually initiate a further remote controlsetup in order to acquire a corresponding command code/GUI update fromthe centralized device database. Alternatively, the newly-loaded devicefirmware update could automatically initiate a DAS/FCD sequence to, inturn, initiate the setting up of the universal remote control 10 usingone or more of the procedures described herein.

In the case where the universal remote control 10 uses an LCD or otherdisplay and/or a touch screen to implement the user interface, theinformation downloaded from the centralized database server 300 wouldresult in a user interface appropriate for the device and the new devicefunctionality with no further action on the user's part. In the case ofa universal remote control 10 with hard keys only, the centralizeddatabase server 300 may be used to provide new labeling for the remotecontrol 10. For example, in some embodiments it is contemplated that themanufacturer will build a base, universal remote control 10 having a setof blank, configurable keys and, possibly, basic functions expected tobe required by everyone (e.g., volume control keys, digit keys, channelcontrol keys, power). Provision may then be made at the centralizeddatabase server 300 to create custom labels for the blank keys inconnection with the setup process which can be downloaded and printed onan overlay for use in connection with the universal remote control 10 toidentity to the user the functions to be controlled upon activation of aremote control key.

Still further, once a device is identified, the customer can be allowedto customize the key configuration and/or graphical user interface ofthe universal remote control 10. To this end, the consumer may bepresented with one or more screens, showing a virtual representation ofthe remote control 10 together with a table of all functions availablefor the device. Using a “drag and drop” interface, for example, theconsumer may assign functions to blank keys/iconic locations on theuniversal remote control 10. In some cases, users may be presented withiconic layouts for LCD displays that, while user alterable, arepreformatted, based on the device ID, so as to have a key layoutappearance similar to the original remote control provided by themanufacturer of a device. When the key layout configuration process iscompleted by a user, the centralized device database server 300downloads the configuration into the remote control 10 as describedabove. This process may be performed using GUI tools located on anintermediate gateway and/or on the universal remote control 10 itself.

In the case where blank hard keys are utilized, the consumer may print alabel further provided by the central server 300 to be installed on theuniversal remote control 10. In an alternative labeling approach, thecentral server 300 could transmit the label data to a center where amore durable label, e.g., a mylar overlay, would be pad printed andmailed to the user. Various means for providing labels to the remotecontrol 10 are illustrated in U.S. application Ser. No. 09/615,473.

In yet another case, the user may access the centralized device databaseto download to the universal remote control 10 one or more sequences ofinstructions to perform various operations, otherwise known as macros.For example, a user who has just purchased a new VCR may be able todownload preprogrammed macros which facilitate setup and adjustment of ahome theater system in which the VCR is inferred to be a part of. Inthis case, the devices in the home theater system can be inferred fromprior device setups performed using the centralized device database. Asadditional appliances are added to the universal remote control 10, thecentralized server can use the appliance information to make informeddecisions regarding the instructions to include in a macro given theappliances owned by a user. Alternatively, the user can be presentedwith one or more screens by which the user can create a custom sequenceof macro instructions.

As described above, to, in part, avoid overloading memory in the remotecontrol 10, the user can be provided with a memory indicator indicating,preferably on a percent basis, how much memory is available in theremote control 10 for downloading further data. Memory usage may bemaintained locally or remotely, e.g., at the centralized databaseserver. In another embodiment, the indicator represents the amount ofmemory the download will use without regard to the amount of dataalready stored in memory.

While specific embodiments of the present invention have been describedin detail, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art thatvarious modifications and alternatives to those details could bedeveloped in light of the overall teachings of the disclosure. Forexample, it should be appreciated that any of the above describedmethods can be used alone or in combination to setup the remote control10. Additionally, as noted, the functionality of the universal remotecontrol 10 can be included in other devices such as PDAs, personalcomputers, home devices, or the like. Accordingly, it will be understoodthat the particular arrangements and procedures disclosed are meant tobe illustrative only and not limiting as to the scope of the inventionwhich is to be given the full breadth of the appended claims and anyequivalents thereof.

All of the cited patents and patent applications are hereby incorporatedby reference in their entirety.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system, comprising: packaging for an appliance,the packaging having a machine readable tag storing standardizedinformation that functions to identify at least the appliance andmanufacturer of the appliance; and a universal remote control having atransmission circuit for communicating commands to the appliance, adevice dedicated to obtaining data from the machine readable tag of thepackaging, and a setup program that uses data obtained from the machinereadable tag of the packaging via the device dedicated to obtaining datafrom the machine readable tag to cause select commands to be mapped toselect command keys of the universal remote control whereby theuniversal remote control is set up such that subsequent activation ofone or more of the select command keys of the universal remote controlcauses the universal remote control to issue via the transmissioncircuit one or more of the select commands to thereby command operationof the appliance.
 2. The system as recited in claim 1, wherein themachine readable tag comprises an RFID label and the device of theuniversal remote control dedicated to obtaining data from a machinereadable tag comprises a device dedicated to the purpose of obtainingdata from the RFID label.
 3. The system as recited in claim 1, whereinthe setup program functions to select the select commands from a libraryof commands locally stored on the universal remote control.
 4. Thesystem as recited in claim 1, comprising a server device incommunication with the universal remote control, the server device beingused to access a library of commands stored remotely from the universalremote control and to download the select commands to the universalremote control.
 5. The system as recited in claim 4, comprising anintermediate device by which the server device is placed intocommunication with the universal remote control.
 6. The system asrecited in claim 5, wherein the intermediate device comprises a cableset top box.
 7. The system as recited in claim 5, wherein theintermediate device comprises a personal computer.
 8. The system asrecited in claim 1, wherein the setup procedure further uses dataobtained from the machine readable tag of the packaging to automaticallyassign the appliance to a select operational mode of the universalremote control whereupon, in response to the universal remote controlbeing placed into the select operational mode, the universal remotecontrol is set up such that subsequent activation of one or more of theselect command keys of the universal remote control causes the universalremote control to issue via the transmission circuit one or more of theselect commands to thereby command operation of the appliance.
 9. Thesystem as recited in claim 1, comprising a server device incommunication with the universal remote control, the server devicereceiving from the universal remote control at least a portion of dataobtained from the machine readable tag of the packaging via the devicededicated to obtaining data from the machine readable tag and using suchdata to automatically register the appliance within a warrantyregistration database.
 10. The system as recited in claim 9, comprisingan intermediate device by which the server device is placed intocommunication with the universal remote control.
 11. The system asrecited in claim 10, wherein the intermediate device comprises a cableset top box.
 12. The system as recited in claim 10, wherein theintermediate device comprises a personal computer.
 13. A method forconfiguring a universal remote control to communicate commands to anappliance, comprising: causing a device of the universal remote controldedicated to obtaining data from a machine readable tag to obtain datafrom a machine readable tag placed upon packaging for the appliancewherein the machine readable tag placed upon packaging for the appliancehas stored standardized information that functions to identify at leastthe appliance and manufacturer of the appliance; and using data obtainedfrom the machine readable tag of the packaging via the device dedicatedto obtaining data from the machine readable tag to cause select commandsto be mapped to select command keys of the universal remote controlwhereby the universal remote control is set up such that subsequentactivation of one or more of the select command keys of the universalremote control causes the universal remote control to issue via atransmission circuit of the universal remote control one or more of theselect commands to thereby command operation of the appliance.
 14. Themethod as recited in claim 13, wherein the machine readable tagcomprises an RFID label and the device of the universal remote controldedicated to obtaining data from a machine readable tag comprises adevice dedicated to the purpose of obtaining data from the RFID label.15. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein data obtained from themachine readable tag of the packaging via the device dedicated toobtaining data from the machine readable tag is used to select commandsfrom a library of commands locally stored on the universal remotecontrol.
 16. The method as recited in claim 13, wherein data obtainedfrom the machine readable tag of the packaging via the device dedicatedto obtaining data from the machine readable tag is used to selectcommands from a library of commands stored remotely from the universalremote control which are then downloaded into the universal remotecontrol.
 17. The method as recited in claim 16, comprising accessing thelibrary of commands and downloading the select commands to the universalremote control via a server device in communication with the universalremote control.
 18. The method as recited in claim 17, comprising usingan intermediate device to place the universal remote control intocommunication with the server device.
 19. The method as recited in claim18, wherein the intermediate device comprises a cable set top box. 20.The method as recited in claim 18, wherein the intermediate devicecomprises a personal computer.
 21. The method as recited in claim 13,comprising using data obtained from the machine readable tag of thepackaging to automatically assign the appliance to a select operationalmode of the universal remote control whereupon, in response to theuniversal remote control being placed into the select operational mode,the universal remote control is set up such that subsequent activationof one or more of the select command keys of the universal remotecontrol causes the universal remote control to issue via thetransmission circuit one or more of the select commands to therebycommand operation of the appliance.
 22. The method as recited in claim13, comprising providing at least a portion of data obtained from themachine readable tag of the packaging via the device dedicated toobtaining data from the machine readable tag to a server device incommunication with the universal remote control whereupon the serverdevice uses received data to automatically register the appliance withina warranty registration database.
 23. The method as recited in claim 22,comprising using an intermediate device to place the universal remotecontrol into communication with the server device.
 24. The method asrecited in claim 23, wherein the intermediate device comprises a cableset top box.
 25. The method as recited in claim 23, wherein theintermediate device comprises a personal computer.
 26. A method forsetting up a universal remote control having a device dedicated toobtaining data from a machine readable tag and a separate transmissioncircuit for communicating commands to an appliance, the methodcomprising: receiving into the universal remote control via the deviceof the universal remote control dedicated to obtaining data from amachine readable tag data obtained from a machine readable tagassociated with an appliance, the machine readable tag storingstandardized information that functions to identify at least theappliance and manufacturer of the appliance; using the data receivedinto the universal remote control to access information to be used toconfigure the universal remote control; and using in a setup procedureof the universal remote control the information accessed as a result ofreceiving the data to cause select commands to be mapped to selectcommand keys of the universal remote control whereby the universalremote control is set up such that subsequent activation of one or moreof the select command keys of the universal remote control causes theuniversal remote control to issue via the transmission circuit of theuniversal remote control one or more of the select commands to therebycommand operation of the appliance associated with the machine readabletag from which the data was obtained via the device of the universalremote control dedicated to obtaining data from a machine readable tag.27. The method as recited in claim 26, wherein the machine readable tagcomprises a UPC label and the device of the universal remote controldedicated to obtaining data from a machine readable tag comprises adevice dedicated to the purpose of obtaining data from the UPC label.28. The method as recited in claim 26, wherein the machine readable tagcomprises an RFID label and the device of the universal remote controldedicated to obtaining data from a machine readable tag comprises adevice dedicated to the purpose of obtaining data from the RFID label.29. The method as recited in claim 28, comprising using the informationaccessed as a result of receiving the data to select the select commandsfrom a library of commands locally stored on the universal remotecontrol.
 30. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein the informationaccessed as a result of receiving the data comprises commands selectedfrom a library of commands stored remotely from the universal remotecontrol.
 31. The method as recited in claim 30, comprising causing theuniversal remote control to directly communicate with a server deviceassociated with the library of commands.
 32. The method as recited inclaim 30, comprising causing the universal remote control to communicatevia an intermediate device with a server device associated with thelibrary of commands.
 33. The method as recited in claim 32, wherein theintermediate device comprises a cable set top box.
 34. The method asrecited in claim 32, wherein the intermediate device comprises apersonal computer.
 35. The method as recited in claim 28, wherein thesetup procedure of the universal remote control further uses the datareceived into the universal remote control to automatically assign theappliance associated with the machine readable tag to a selectoperational mode of the universal remote control whereupon, in responseto the universal remote control being placed into the select operationalmode, the universal remote control is set up such that subsequentactivation of one or more of the select command keys of the universalremote control causes the universal remote control to issue via atransmission circuit of the universal remote control one or more of theselect commands to thereby command operation of the appliance associatedwith the machine readable tag without again requiring use of the deviceof the universal remote control dedicated to obtaining data from amachine readable tag.
 36. The method as recited in claim 28, comprisingreceiving user input into the universal remote control that specifies aselect operational mode of the universal remote control to which theappliance associated with the machine readable tag is to be assignedwhereupon, in response to the universal remote control being placed intothe select operational mode, the universal remote control is set up suchthat subsequent activation of one or more of the select command keys ofthe universal remote control causes the universal remote control toissue via the transmission circuit of the universal remote control oneor more of the select commands to thereby command operation of theappliance associated with the machine readable tag without againrequiring use of the device of the universal remote control dedicated toobtaining data from a machine readable tag.
 37. A method for setting upa universal remote control having a device dedicated to obtaining datafrom a machine readable tag and a separate transmission circuit forcommunicating commands to an appliance, the method comprising: receivinginto the universal remote control via the device of the universal remotecontrol dedicated to obtaining data from a machine readable tag dataobtained from a plurality of machine readable tags each associated withan appliance, each of the plurality of machine readable tags storingstandardized information that functions to identify at least itsrespectively associated appliance and manufacturer of its respectivelyassociated appliance; using the data received into the universal remotecontrol to access information to be used to configure the universalremote control; and using in a setup procedure of the universal remotecontrol the information accessed as a result of receiving the data tocause select commands to be mapped to select command keys of theuniversal remote control whereby the universal remote control is set upsuch that subsequent activation of one or more of the select commandkeys of the universal remote control causes the universal remote controlto issue via the transmission circuit of the universal remote controlone or more of the select commands to command operation of one or moreappliance associated with the plurality of machine readable tags fromwhich data was obtained via the device of the universal remote controldedicated to obtaining data from a machine readable tag.
 38. The methodas recited in claim 37, wherein each of the plurality of machinereadable tags comprises a UPC label and the device of the universalremote control dedicated to obtaining data from a machine readable tagcomprises a device dedicated to the purpose of obtaining data from theUPC label.
 39. The method as recited in claim 37, wherein each of theplurality of machine readable tags comprises an RFID label and thedevice of the universal remote control dedicated to obtaining data froma machine readable tag comprises a device dedicated to the purpose ofobtaining data from the RFID label.
 40. The method as recited in claim39, comprising using the information accessed as a result of receivingthe data to select the select commands from a library of commandslocally stored on the universal remote control.
 41. The method asrecited in claim 39, wherein the information accessed as a result ofreceiving the data comprises commands selected from a library ofcommands remotely stored from the universal remote control.
 42. Themethod as recited in claim 41, comprising causing the universal remotecontrol to directly communicate with a server device associated with thelibrary of commands.
 43. The method as recited in claim 41, comprisingcausing the universal remote control to communicate via an intermediatedevice with a server device associated with the library of commands. 44.The method as recited in claim 43, wherein the intermediate devicecomprises a cable set top box.
 45. The method as recited in claim 43,wherein the intermediate device comprises a personal computer.
 46. Themethod as recited in claim 39, wherein the setup procedure of theuniversal remote control further uses the data received into theuniversal remote control to automatically assign the applianceassociated with at least one of the plurality of machine readable tagsto a select operational mode of the universal remote control whereupon,in response to the universal remote control being placed into the selectoperational mode, the universal remote control is set up such thatsubsequent activation of one or more of the select command keys of theuniversal remote control causes the universal remote control to issuevia the transmission circuit of the universal remote control one or moreof the select commands to thereby command operation of the applianceassociated with the one or more of the plurality of machine readabletags without again requiring use of the device of the universal remotecontrol dedicated to obtaining data from a machine readable tag.
 47. Themethod as recited in claim 46, wherein the select operational mode ofthe universal remote control comprises a home theater mode.
 48. Themethod as recited in claim 46, wherein the select operational mode ofthe universal remote control comprises a room mode.
 49. The method asrecited in claim 39, comprising receiving user input into the universalremote control that specifies at least one select operational mode ofthe universal remote control to which the appliance associated with oneor more of the plurality of machine readable tags is to be assignedwhereupon, in response to the universal remote control being placed intothe select operational mode, the universal remote control is set up suchthat subsequent activation of one or more of the select command keys ofthe universal remote control causes the universal remote control toissue via the transmission circuit of the universal remote control oneor more of the select commands to thereby command operation of theappliance associated with the one or more of the plurality of machinereadable tags without again requiring use of the device of the universalremote control dedicated to obtaining data from a machine readable tag.50. The method as recited in claim 49, wherein the select operationalmode of the universal remote control comprises a home theater mode. 51.The method as recited in claim 49, wherein the select operational modeof the universal remote control comprises a room mode.
 52. The method asrecited in claim 28, further comprising transmitting from the universalremote control by the device of the universal remote control dedicatedto obtaining data from a machine readable tag an RF signal to initiateobtaining of the data from the RFID tags.
 53. The method as recited inclaim 28, wherein the device of the universal remote control dedicatedto obtaining data from a machine readable tag obtains data from each ofthe plurality of machine readable tags within an area of radiocommunication with the universal remote control.
 54. An apparatus,comprising: a remote control, the remote control having a firsttransmitter, a first receiver, and a setup procedure, the firsttransmitter to transmit an interrogation signal to a device, the firstreceiver to receive a device identifier for the device, and the setupprocedure using information corresponding to the device identifier toconfigure the remote control to send control information to the device;wherein the remote control further comprises a second transmitter and asecond receiver, the second transmitter to transmit a request for theinformation to a first node, the request including the deviceidentifier, and the second receiver to receive the information from thefirst node.
 55. The apparatus as recited in claim 54, wherein the deviceidentifier comprises an electronic product code.
 56. The apparatus asrecited in claim 54, wherein the information comprises capability andconfiguration information necessary to configure the remote control tocontrol the device.
 57. The apparatus as recited in claim 54, whereinthe device identifier comprises a device activated setup (DAS)transmission.
 58. The apparatus as recited in claim 54, wherein thedevice identifier comprises a functional capability definition (FCD)transmission.
 59. A system, comprising: a device having aradio-frequency identification tag, the radio-frequency identificationtag to communicate a device identifier in response to an interrogationsignal; and a remote control to remotely control the device, the remotecontrol having a first antenna, a first transmitter, a first receiver,and a setup procedure, the first transmitter to transmit aninterrogation signal to the device using the first antenna, the firstreceiver to receive the device identifier for the device using the firstantenna, and the setup procedure to configure the remote control usinginformation corresponding to the device identifier; wherein the remotecontrol further comprises a second transmitter and a second receiver,the second transmitter to transmit a request for the information to afirst node, the request including the device identifier, and the secondreceiver to receive the information from the first node, the informationto configure the remote control to send control information to thedevice.
 60. The system as recited in claim 59, wherein the deviceidentifier comprises an electronic product code.
 61. The system asrecited in claim 59, wherein the information comprises capability andconfiguration information necessary to configure the remote control tocontrol the device.
 62. The system as recited in claim 59, wherein thedevice identifier comprises a device activated setup (DAS) transmission.63. The system as recited in claim 59, wherein the device identifiercomprises a functional capability definition (FCD) transmission.
 64. Amethod, comprising: transmitting from a remote control an interrogationsignal to a device capable of being controlled remotely; receiving atthe remote control a device identifier for the device; sending from theremote control a request for information to a first node, the requestincluding the device identifier; receiving at the remote control theinformation from the first node; and configuring the remote controlusing the information.
 65. The method as recited in claim 64, whereinthe device identifier comprises an electronic product code.
 66. Themethod as recited in claim 64, wherein the information comprisescapability and configuration information necessary to configure theremote control to control the device.
 67. The method as recited in claim64, wherein the device identifier comprises a device activated setup(DAS) transmission.
 68. The method as recited in claim 64, wherein thedevice identifier comprises a functional capability definition (FCD)transmission.
 69. An article comprising a medium storing instructionsthat when executed by a processor are operable to transmit aninterrogation signal from a remote control to a device capable of beingcontrolled remotely, receive at the remote control a device identifierfor the device, send from the remote control a request for informationto a first node, receive at the remote control the information from thefirst node, and configure the remote control using the information,wherein the request includes the device identifier.
 70. The article asrecited in claim 69, wherein the device identifier comprises anelectronic product code.
 71. The article as recited in claim 69, whereinthe information comprises capability and configuration informationnecessary to configure the remote control to control the device.
 72. Thearticle as recited in claim 69, wherein the device identifier comprisesa device activated setup (DAS) transmission.
 73. The article as recitedin claim 69, wherein the device identifier comprises a functionalcapability definition (FCD) transmission.